SALE Rugby Club has been granted permission to replace the floodlights on its playing ground. At present the pitch can only be partially lit, meaning players risk injury after dark.

SALE Rugby Club has been granted permission to replace the floodlights on its playing ground.

At present the pitch can only be partially lit, meaning players risk injury after dark.

The club is to instal four 15-metre floodlights and the six existing lights will be raised to the same height.

Use of the lights will be restricted to between 6.30pm and 9pm from Monday to Thursday and from September 1 to March 31.

The floodlights' colour and design will be carefully chosen to minimise their impact on the surrounding area, and proposed landscaping will be in keeping with the site's semi-rural setting.

The Carrington Lane ground is used by Sale Sharks rugby union team, Sale Rugby Football Club, community groups and Manchester University teams.

A Sports Academy building provides training, education and competition for young players aged between 16 and 21.

Sale Sharks said the facility is required to compete with other English academies and has to be able to attract new players.

The Community Rugby Officer at Sport Trafford said: "The floodlights will allow children to fit training around their education commitments and will therefore hopefully attract a greater number of particpants."